Palm Valley: The show goes on even during tragic time

MAGGIE FITZROY

Published Tuesday, September 25, 2001

As I sit down today to write this column, I feel like things are slowly getting back to normal. It's sort of like I am emerging from a dark cave, where I felt lost and confused, into the sunlight, a bit cautious and hesitant, but grateful. Like all Americans, the tragic events of Sept. 11 have changed me in ways I would have never imagined. I perceive things differently now.

I have more gratitude for the little things. On the Friday after the terrorist attacks, I woke up with lower back pain so severe that I could barely move.

Fortunately the nurse was able to fit me into the schedule and I felt a lot of relief once I saw the doctor. But then I had to drive home, unfortunately, in the slashing rain and fierce winds of Tropical Storm Gabrielle. I don't think I'll ever feel safe again, as safe I felt before that awful Tuesday. It will take a while to relax, and not be looking over my shoulder.

But I think the good that has come from this tragedy is a renewed sense of patriotism and an enhanced sense of closeness and oneness with each other. An awareness now, that we are all on the same team.Against doctors orders, my husband and I attended one of the last performances of 'Pump Boys and Dinettes," at the Alhambra Dinner Theater that same evening. I felt a little guilty about going, not because I was supposed to be lying down on an ice pack, but because so many people were dead, and so many folks were grieving that it didn't seem right to go out to be entertained.

When we arrived, I was surprised how many people had turned out because most tables were filled. The cast was wonderful. They sang and danced and for that brief moment we were able to smile again and forget the horror of the week. It was an inspiring example of the show business promise: that the show will go on. And so will life.After taking their bows, the cast stepped out of character and started talking about the terrorist tragedy and asked for donations to the Red Cross.

Everyone in the audience stood up, and one by one we went up to the stage and dropped money into a hat until it overflowed. As we left the theater, they gave us candles to take out into the storm, but once outside, no one wanted to leave. So we all huddled together, taking turns relighting each others candles as they were snuffed out by the wind.

As we stood there, the star of the show, Gail Bliss, started to sing 'God Bless America," and then 'America the Beautiful," as tears ran down her cheeks. We all sang with her then, hands cupped around our candles, little lights in the dark. It was a symbolic moment. Yes, we know the storms may come. And it might get nasty and scary. But if we can remember that we are all in this together - that as Americans, we are all on the same team, then we will become stronger and more caring as individual and as a nation. And go on with life.

I know some events were postponed due to the events of Sept. 11. Nease High School's open house, originally scheduled for that evening, will now be held Oct. 4, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Anyone with news or upcoming events to share, please contact me at 273-0888, or maggief@mediane.net. Thanks.